Interactive device bag

ABSTRACT

A bag for transporting and using a device. The bag can include a body, a compartment which can secure the device, and an interaction window which can allow a user located outside of the body to provide inputs and outputs to the device through the body, while the device is secured within the compartment.

BACKGROUND

As devices such as laptop and tablet computers have become more common, carrying cases such as bags and other containers for storing and transporting them have become common as well. However, these carrying cases are often bulky and unwieldy, and require the removal of the device from the case before a user can operate the device, which can be clumsy and inconvenient.

In addition, these devices remain relatively fragile, susceptible to drops, shocks, scratches, abrasions, liquids, dust, dirt, and other debris. While some carrying cases provide protection from these dangers, removal of the device for operation often exposes the device to the potential for damage.

SUMMARY

In one exemplary embodiment, a bag for transporting and using a device is disclosed. The bag can include a body, a compartment which can secure the device, and an interaction window which can provide access to inputs and outputs of the device, through the body, while the device is secured within the compartment. The bag can provide protection from, for example, shock, abrasion, and debris while the device is secured within the compartment. In some exemplary embodiments, the device can be a tablet computer, and the interaction window can be a touch-sensitive material which can allow a user to view and manipulate the touchscreen of the tablet computer while it is secured within the compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an opened interactive device bag.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of an interactive device bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. “Data” should be understood to be any information in either organized or unorganized form and in any format.

Generally referring to exemplary FIGS. 1 and 2, a bag for transporting and interacting with devices is disclosed. The bag can include, among other things, a compartment for securing a device. The bag can also include provisions which can allow a user to use, manipulate, or otherwise interact with the device while it remains securely contained within the bag. The bag can provide protection for the device from damage while the device is being used.

Referring now to exemplary FIG. 1, bag 100 can include a body 102, which can be of any shape, for example rectangular, square, circular, oval, or any other shape as desired. In some exemplary embodiments, bag 100 can include one or more straps 104 which can be connected to body 102 in any manner as desired. Straps 104 can be detachable, stowable, or adjustable as desired. Straps 104 can be arranged in any manner, including as backpack straps, as sling straps, as carrying handles, or in any other desired configuration. Straps 104 can be carrying straps used to carry bag 100, or straps 104 can be compression straps, accessory straps, or any other type of straps as desired. In some exemplary embodiments, bag 100 can take the form of a backpack or book-bag, as shown in FIG. 1. In other exemplary embodiments, bag 100 can be a shoulder bag, sling bag, messenger bag, purse, clutch, handbag, tote, duffel bag, suitcase, or any other type of bag or luggage as desired.

Still referring to FIG. 1, body 102 can contain one or more compartments. The compartments can be secured with zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners such as Velcro, buttons, snaps, tabs, buckles, straps, or any other fastening as desired. The compartments can be arranged in any configuration as desired. In some exemplary embodiments, bag 100 can include a main compartment 106 that can occupy a relatively large portion of body 102, and one or more relatively smaller compartments arranged in any combination inside or outside of main compartment 106.

In some exemplary embodiments, bag 100 can include compartments for storing accessories for a device such as keyboards, headphones, styli, computer mice, joysticks, external memory, or any other type of peripheral or accessory as desired. In some exemplary embodiments, bag 100 can include compartments or other provisions for storing power accessories for a device such as a power cord, an external battery, or a power source such as a fuel cell or solar panel.

Still referring to FIG. 1, bag 100 can include a device compartment 108, which can be adapted to receive and secure a device. The device can be any type of device, for example a tablet computer, a laptop computer, portable internet device, smartphone, cellular telephone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), music player, Global Positioning System (GPS) device, electronic reader, electronic map, video player, photograph viewer, or any other type of device as desired.

Still referring to FIG. 1, device compartment 108 can include securing provisions 110 which can be used to secure the device. In some exemplary embodiments, securing provisions 110 can be a flap which can include a hook-and-loop fastener, and which can be adapted to enclose the device within device compartment 108. In other exemplary embodiments, securing provisions 110 can be zippers, buttons, snaps, tabs, buckles, straps, or any other type of securing provision as desired. Device compartment 108 can include protective provisions such as padding, and can provide protection for the device from shock, abrasion, liquids, dust, dirt, debris, or any other type of unwanted contact or disruption.

Turning now to FIG. 2, bag 100 can be adapted to allow a user to use, manipulate, or otherwise interact with the device while it remains secured within device compartment 108. In some exemplary embodiments, this bag 100 can include interaction window 202. Interaction window 202 can provide access for a user located outside of bag 100 to one or more compartments, such as main compartment 106 or device compartment 108, through body 102. Interaction window 202 can be constructed of a translucent or transparent material, such as any desired type of plastic, which can allow a user to view outputs of the device such as screens, displays, lights, or other desired outputs while the device remains secured within, for example, device compartment 108. Interaction window 202 can also allow a user to provide inputs to the device while the device remains secured within, for example, device compartment 108. In some exemplary embodiments, interaction window 202 can be constructed of a touch-sensitive material through which a user can manipulate a touchscreen, such as a capacitive or resistive touchscreen found on a tablet computer. In other exemplary embodiments, interaction window 202 can allow a user to manipulate inputs such as keyboards, touchpads, buttons, switches, knobs, levers, or any other type of input as desired. Interaction window 202 can have protective properties, and can for example provide protection for the device from liquids, dust, dirt, abrasion, or shock. In this manner, a device secured within bag 100 can be operated by a user without being exposed to the environment outside of bag 100.

Still referring to FIG. 2, in some exemplary embodiments bag 100 can include a protective cover 204 which can be used to cover interaction window 202 when the device is not in use. Protective cover 204 can, for example, be constructed of the same outer material as body 102, and can prevent abrasion and other damage to interaction window 202 while it is covered. Protective cover 204 can be, for example, a flap which can be rolled and stowed while the device is in use. Protective cover 204 can be secured using zippers, hook-and-loop fastenings such as Velcro, buttons, snaps, tabs, buckles, straps, or any other fastening as desired.

Still referring to FIG. 2, bag 100 can include one or more accessory access apertures 206. Apertures 206 can be located, for example, close to interaction window 202 and can allow a user to attach and use peripherals and accessories with a device secured in, for example, device compartment 108. These peripherals and accessories can include, for example, headphones, power cords, power sources, batteries, computer mice, joysticks, keyboards, cameras, projectors, printers, or any other type of accessory as desired. Apertures 206 can be closed or covered while not in use in order to preserve the protective qualities of bag 100.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bag for transporting and using a device, comprising: a body; a compartment which secures the device; and an interaction window, which provides access to one or more inputs or outputs of the device, through the body, while the device is secured within the compartment.
 2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the device is at least one of a tablet computer, a laptop computer, portable internet device, smartphone, cellular telephone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), music player, Global Positioning System (GPS) device, electronic reader, electronic map, video player, photograph viewer.
 3. The bag of claim 1, wherein the bag has the form of at least one of a backpack, book-bag, shoulder bag, sling bag, messenger bag, purse, clutch, handbag, tote, duffel bag, or suitcase.
 4. The bag of claim 1, wherein the interaction window is constructed of a touch-sensitive material through which a user can manipulate a touchscreen.
 5. The bag of claim 1, wherein the device is secured by at least one of hook-and-loop fasteners, zippers, buttons, snaps, tabs, buckles, or straps.
 6. The bag of claim 1, wherein the bag provides protection from shock, abrasion, liquids, dust, dirt, and debris while the device is secured within the compartment.
 7. The bag of claim 1, wherein the input is at least one of a touchscreen, keyboard, touchpad, button, switch, knob, or lever.
 8. The bag of claim 1, wherein the output is at least one of a touchscreen, screen, display, or light.
 9. The bag of claim 1, wherein the bag has one or more apertures which allow the attachment of one or more accessories to the device while it is secured within the compartment.
 10. The bag of claim 9, wherein the one or more accessories is at least one of headphones, power cords, power sources, batteries, computer mice, joysticks, keyboards, cameras, projectors, or printers.
 11. The bag of claim 1, wherein the bag has one or more additional compartments.
 12. The bag of claim 11, wherein the additional compartments are adapted to store at least one of keyboards, headphones, styli, computer mice, joysticks, external memory, power cords, external batteries, fuel cells, or solar panels. 